2 Peter 1:16-21

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷ For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” ¹⁸ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. ¹⁹ And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, ²⁰ knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. ²¹ For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

St. Peter is sharing with his readers his firsthand report of a memorable occasion, the transfiguration of our Lord (cf. Matthew 17:1-9).  Peter wants us to know he is telling the truth and he says in verse 16, “we (specifically James and John) were eyewitnesses of [Jesus’] majesty.”  What were Peter, James, and John eyewitness to?  On the holy mountain they beheld the holiness in which God dwells, the “unapproachable light whom no one has ever seen or can see” (cf. 1 Tm. 6:16).  They saw the outward demonstration of Christ’s divine majesty; before their eyes Jesus face shone like the sun; His clothing had a whiteness like that of light.  Not only did they see it happen with their own eyes, Peter says “we ourselves” also heard “borne from heaven” (18) the voice of God the Father saying, “this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (17).  The Apostle is not only concerned with God the Father declaring the Sonship and deity of Christ, but also His “coming with power.” This “power” is revealed with the many miracles Jesus performed and Jesus’ transfiguration confirms He is the Son of God, who in fact has all power in heaven and on earth. 

The encounter with Christ on the mountaintop changed Peter forever.  Our encounter with Christ through God’s Word and Sacraments changes us forever.  The power-filled Word of God shines into the “dark places” of our lives and hearts, so that a new “day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts” (19).  Whenever Jesus’ Word and Sacraments bring you to the cross, the true God is revealed to you.  By His grace we come to believe His Word, and to know Jesus as the Son of God, our Savior.  By the power of the Spirit of God, who “richly and daily” forgives our sins, we are transformed again day after day!   In Holy Baptism we share the benefit of His forgiving death and burial, and so share in His life and the certainty of a resurrection to everlasting life.  In the Lord’s Supper, we receive Jesus’ body and blood, forgiveness, life, and salvation and so become eyewitnesses of His majesty.

The Transfiguration of our Lord confirmed to Peter: Jesus.   Peter and the disciples saw and heard the Son of God, Jesus, true God, veiled in the flesh of true Man.  The Apostle Peter and the men of old who “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit,” point us to where we can hear, see, and know the true God: The Holy Scriptures and in the Sacraments.  God’s Means of Grace is made more “fully confirmed” with the life and death and resurrection of the Son of God, whom the Father loves and in whom He is well pleased.  Jesus the promised Son of God has done it all for you and has blessed you with the faith to believe and trust it is most certainly true.  This is the Word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

825 North 1st Street West, Cheyenne Wells, CO, 80810

Divine Service, Sunday at 9:00 a.m. 

Wednesday Evening Lenten Service at 7:00 p.m.